What is Resource Therapy?

Resource Therapy is a Trauma Informed Empowering Parts Psychotherapy

Resource therapy theory informs us that our personality is made up of parts, called our Resources in Resource Therapy. We can have part that want’s to excerise and a part that wants to watch tv. Both of these Resources have value to support us, yet may be in conflict internally at times. Can you relate?

Resource Therapists are trained to work directly with the part experienciing emotional distress, unwanted behaviours, rumination, addictive processses or PTSD.

Utilising easily learned practical steps designed to deal with the root cause of the issue.

Which naturally means a change to the relationship to the trauma or memory issue and results in clients saying they feel lighter and freer.

Resource Therapy is a brief strength based trauma informed and attachment aware parts therapy offering compassion, respect and life changing results, These parts are called our Resources and we each have many Resources available to us. When we have the appropriate Resource in the drivers seat, life goes smoothly and feels wonderful.

Psychologist Gordon Emmerson Founder of Resource Therapy. President of Resource Therapy International.
Psychologist Gordon Emmerson Founder of Resource Therapy. Consultatnt of Resource Therapy International.

Resource Therapy was developed by  Professor Gordon Emmerson combining his knowledge of Ego State Therapy, cognitive psychology and client experience.

The problem with many talking therapies is they fail to work directly with the part needing assistance.

Sally is eager, Johnny is upset. Who who should their teacher talk to?
Sally is talkative, however, it is Johnny who is upset. Who should their teacher talk to?

Imagine a classroom of students. Little Johnny sits at the back,  feeling upset, and tears slide down his cheeks. Does the teacher ask alert Sally in sitting in the front row what is wrong with Johnny?

Poor Sally may take a guess but in reality, she does not know what Johnny’s concerns are.

Resource Therapists learn the art of talking to ‘Johnny’ ( the internal Resource State/part of the personality) directly associated with the unwanted emotion (Vaded state)  or broken behavior.

Too often therapists only talk to a part like Sally who is a reporter part, talking about  Johnny and his woes but is not directly involved with the pain or unhelpful behaviours. Frustrating for all concerned, to say the least!  Profound inner change remains elusive.

Your Resource Therapist is trained to help you to deal with your thoughts, feelings, negative beliefs, reactions, and emotions, getting to the very heart of ‘why” you have come for help.  We know how to work directly with the part/Resource associated with unwanted feelings or problem behavior.

It makes sense.

Clinicians who are familiar with  mind-body therapies such as Eye-Movement- Desensitization- Reprocessing (EMDR) as developed by Dr Francine Shapiro Ph.D.,  Brain Spotting created by David Grand, Dr Laurie Mackinnon’s Ph.D Radical Exposure Technique and Internal Family Systems originator  Richard Schwartz,  will likely already use Ego State Therapy.

Resource Therapy had its genesis in the widely known ‘Ego State Therapy’ and has a rich pedigree in theory and practice. It also known as Advanced Ego State.

Our esteemed colleagues in the United States, Europe, and South Africa will be familiar with Ego State Therapy and it’s founders John and Helen Watkins. Those of you specializing in trauma will  know the work of Maggie Phillips Ph.DPat Ogden, Janina Fisher, Claire Frederick and many other clinicians of note who use of Ego State Therapy extensively.

Ego State Therapy Authored by Gordon Emmerson PhD.
Ego State Therapy Authored by Gordon Emmerson PhD.. Resource Therapy founder.

More on Ego State Therapy here

Resource Therapy (RT) can be thought of as an advanced form of Ego State, as hypnosis is no longer required and RT offers  systematized intervention treatment protocols which  works to  support life changing positive results for clients in your therapy practice.

Resource Therapy gently ask clients to set their own goals with this focused question “What are you Ready to Change Today?

What are you ready to change today? Resource Therapy's number 1 diagnosis question.
What are you ready to change today? Resource Therapy’s number 1 diagnosis question.

This question allows you the client to be in control and your therapist to understand and help you clarify your therapeutic goals. You need to know your destination to achieve the emotional results you desire. Naturally, Resource Therapy is a trauma-informed and strength-based model.

As helping professionals we know it is essential to deliver short-term and effective therapeutic change in today’s contemporary clinical practice world. Psychologists, counselors, nurses, teachers, doctors, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, coaches, case workers, clinical hypnotherapists are under more pressure than ever with full caseloads and closed books.

Our clients also expect their work with therapists and other mental health professionals will bring positive change quickly.

The problem with many talking therapies is they fail to work directly with the part needing assistance.

Sally is eager, Johnny is upset. Who who should their teacher talk to?
Sally is talkative, however, it is Johnny who is upset. Who should their teacher talk to?

Imagine a classroom of students. Little Johnny sits at the back,  feeling upset, tears slip down his cheeks. Does the teacher ask alert Sally in sitting in the front row what is wrong with Jhnny?

Poor Sally may take a guess but in reality, she does not know what Johnny’s concerns are.

Resource Therapists are dedicated to talking to ‘Johny’ ( the internal Resource State) directly associated with the unwanted emotion Vaded or broken behavior.

Too often counselors only talk to a part like Sally who reports on Johnny and his woes but is not directly involved with the root cause of the issue.

Frustrating for all concerned to say the least!  Profound inner change remains elusive.

Your Resource Therapist is trained to help you to deal with your thoughts, feelings, beliefs reactions, and emotions, getting to the very heart of ‘why” you have come for help. By working directly with the part associated with the unwanted feelings or problem behavior. It makes sense.

All our Parts working in harmony together.
All our Parts working in harmony together.

With Resource therapy lengthy history taking is unnecessary.

Resource Therapists won’t waste your time trying to figure out the ‘why’ with an intellectual storytelling part. We are interested in the “what” happened to you.

Instead, Resource therapists are trained to work with directly with your internal Resource States locked in pain, fear, abandonment, rejection, neglect, hurt, guilt, trauma, resentment, anger and shame, and other unhelpful emotional baggage.  Resource Therapists facilitate full expression, validation, and empowerment rather like internal family therapy.

The Pixar Movie Inside Out is a super way to see our Parts in action.
The Disney Pixar Movie Inside Out is a cute way to see our Resources conceptually.

Resource therapy addresses clients’ issues in the most direct manner, with results being incredibly fast, effective, efficient, and apparently permanent. I liken Resource therapy (Advanced Ego State Therapy) to Occam’s razor of brief, solution-focused therapy.

This leaves no need for symptomatic relief as we get to the source of the client’s distress. Healing Magic!

5 Replies to “What is Resource Therapy?”

  1. Where is such a Resource Therapy qualified psychologist near Maitland or Newcastle NSW Australia/ Could you please provide me with a list of practitioners please? For myself.

    1. Hi Julie, yes there are many Resource Therapy qualified psychologists both here and worldwide now.
      You can find them in your area or available on line via Skype or Zoom.
      Here is the link to Resource Therapy International where you can find a practitioner by location. It’s for the NSW directory https://www.resourcetherapyinternational.com/nsw-directory.html
      Otherwise contact me via phone 0434559011 or email me philipathornton@gmail.com
      Thanks for your question Julie!
      Best wishes Philipa

  2. Hello,

    I am currently studying a Bachelor of Counselling and I am really interested in doing the foundational course, however I am unable to do the February date. Please keep me informed of other 2024 dates.

    Thank you,
    Lisa

    1. Thanks, Lisa, great to read of your counselling studies. We may have another one later in 2024. We are sorry to have missed you in February. Please sign up for the newsletter as that’s the best way to keep in the loop.
      Enjoy your studies and see you soon at a workshop:))

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